Kohn starting to get acclimated in Angels bullpen

ANAHEIM – Since the start of the 2009 season, relief pitcher Michael Kohn has been promoted four times — from low-Class-A Cedar Rapids all the way to the big leagues. So he's got some experience with a wide variety of bullpens.

One thing that sets Angel Stadium apart: how much he hears from the fans in left field.

"In Rancho (Cucamonga), the fans are nowhere near you," he said. "Cedar Rapids doesn't even have a bullpen area to sit in, so you're always near the dugout. Arkansas, the bullpen is behind the fence. Salt Lake is probably the closest to the fans.

"Yeah they'll scream at you (at Angel Stadium), say stuff to you. They're always asking for balls. You wish you could give everybody a ball, but you can't, so you just try to just kind of block it out."

Kohn is the newest member of the relief corps, which traditionally carries with it some responsibility. For Kohn, that means stocking a duffel bag with snacks. Before every series, he loads it up with candy, gum, seeds, jerky, and whatever special orders he gets. He was shy his first few days, not saying much and focusing on the game.

"Now I'm starting to get a little more comfortable where I can talk to the guys and ask certain questions," he said. "But after the first five innings, then I start to lock in."

In Anaheim, nobody plays entrance music for him, now that he's not the closer. (When he was closing in the minors, he walked onto the field to the country-rock singer Brantley Gilbert's "Kick it in the Sticks.") And his role isn't nearly so defined, so he can't always anticipate when he'll be needed.

But he said the biggest difference between a minor league bullpen and the Angels bullpen is the intensity.

"It's serious. It's a job," he said. "We're here for one reason, to make the playoffs and ultimately win a championship. You're having fun here, but at the same time it's all about winning."

REHAB UPDATES

Jason Bulger and Brian Stokes continue to make progress while rehabbing at Triple-A Salt Lake, but both could be weeks away from returning to the Angels bullpen.

"Both he and Stokes are showing signs of turning the corner on some things," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "They're much closer now than they were maybe last week. They need some innings, they need to repeat some things they're working on, but it's encouraging."

Pitchers on rehab stints can stay in the minors up to 30 days, which gives Stokes and Bulger until early September to return to the Angels.

"I think they're going to need most of (that time), to be honest with you," Scioscia said.

Bulger has pitched 2 1/3 innings in three outings for Salt Lake, walking striking out four and walking three. Stokes has pitched eight innings over six outings, with a 3.38 ERA.

PINEIRO ANTSY

Joel Pineiro said Friday he felt like he could start throwing now, but Scioscia is a bit more patient.

"He's ahead of the worst-case scenarios, that's for sure," Scioscia said. "There's a chance Pineiro's going to come back and pitch this year, but he has a lot of work ahead of him."

"(He'll start throwing) when Dr. Yocum and all the guys who have treated him think it's safe, where he's not at risk. It's premature to think he's going to start throwing again in the next day or two."

ANOTHER CHANCE

On Friday, Angels defensive phenom Peter Bourjos failed to make a catch as he crashed into the wall in right-center field. It went for a triple, and would have been an exceptional catch had he made it.

In the fifth inning Saturday, Bourjos got another chance on a similar ball hit, again, to the wall in right center. This time, as he crashed into the wall, the center fielder made the catch.